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'People Of North Dakota Are The Norwegians Of America,' Says Kevin O'Leary—'Their Net Worth Per Capita To Be No. 1 In The US' Here's Why

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'People Of North Dakota Are The Norwegians Of America,' Says Kevin O'Leary—'Their Net Worth Per Capita To Be No. 1 In The US' Here's Why


Kevin O’Leary, the investor perhaps best known for his sharp takes on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” is betting big on North Dakota. And he believes the state is poised to take the top spot in America for wealth per person.

“I believe that the people of North Dakota are the Norwegians of America because their net worth per capita is going to be No. 1 in the U.S. soon,” O’Leary recently posted on X. “They have so much wealth in the ground and there are only 750,000 of them!”

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From Shark Tank to Statewide Investments

O’Leary’s confidence isn’t just talk. Through his Wonder Fund North Dakota, he’s managing a $45 million investment initiative focused on early-stage companies, according to the O’Leary Ventures website. The fund is part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative and aims to unlock even more private capital for local startups.

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O’Leary’s North Dakota journey began nearly a decade ago with an $80,000 investment in Fargo-based PRx Performance—one of the most successful pitches in Shark Tank history. “That really opened me up to the possibilities of what we can do in Fargo, Bismarck, and everywhere else in North Dakota,” O’Leary told Fargo INC! in 2023.

But O’Leary says the real draw is the state’s business-friendly environment. “I would never do a fund like this in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, or California,” he said. “Those states are uninvestable… North Dakota is very competitive, particularly now.”

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He credits the state’s pro-business policies, remote work advantages, and stable government as key factors in attracting capital. “This is a golden period for North Dakota, it really is,” O’Leary told Fargo INC!. “It’s going to come out swinging as a competitive state. It’s no longer just Texas or Florida anymore.”

Wonder Fund: Where the Money’s Going

The Wonder Fund is multisector but focused on tech, agriculture, agtech, land, and energy—especially projects that sequester carbon. O’Leary says the goal is not only to invest state money wisely, but also to attract 10 to 30 times more capital alongside it.

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Transparency is also a major part of the strategy. The fund gives state officials real-time access to detailed data on every investment. “As a fiduciary, I feel the best thing to do is to shine a light on everything,” O’Leary said.

See Also: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now.

The Legacy Fund Connection

O’Leary’s optimism ties into the broader financial foundation being built in North Dakota. Just like in Norway, the state’s $11 billion Legacy Fund, a sovereign wealth fund backed by oil and gas tax revenue, is designed for long-term prosperity.

With the 2024 passage of Measure No. 3, the fund became even more future-focused. Lawmakers can now access only 5% of the fund’s principal during each two-year budget cycle, down from 15%. This means more of the fund can be invested long-term, with a projected $30 million boost in earnings in just the first year.

“The Legacy Fund was created to provide financial stability and deliver sustained economic benefits for North Dakotans,” said state Rep. Glenn Bosch, vice chair of the Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board.

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According to the Retirement and Investment Office website, the fund has already transferred more than $1.8 billion to the general fund over the last three budget periods, helping fund infrastructure, tax relief, and other projects. Another $601 million is set to transfer in June.

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Runners will soon trek across North Dakota to bring awareness for families grieving the loss of a child – KVRR Local News

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Runners will soon trek across North Dakota to bring awareness for families grieving the loss of a child – KVRR Local News


FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — For more than 400 miles, 12 runners will trek across North Dakota to carry the stories of love, loss, and resilience from community to community.

“After having run Haven since 2017, the 10.15 Project came, and it just is so exciting because it’s really looking at pregnancy and infant loss and putting it in a new light. And really giving people the opportunity to do something that you can see and it’s meaningful,” said Jen Burgard, Founder and Executive Director of Haven.

The 10.15 Project was co-founded by Haven, an organization that supports grieving families. The relay begins on International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. And during the four days, the team hopes to bring awareness to families.

“It gives you pieces of solitude, of quiet, of reflection, and also a purpose. It gives you meaning, and I think endurance is one of the biggest pieces of this. It’s the endurance required to navigate pregnancy and infant loss is extreme. And I think this really mirrors that,” said Burgard.

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While many of the runners come from different fields, many have also experienced a loss themselves.

“When it happened in my family, it was kind of something we were all struck by. You realize how common it is. And you know, I want to bring light to that,” said Ty Casey, Runner and Learning and Development Specialist at TrueNorth Steel.

Casey has multiple runs planned over the next few months, but with this run in particular, he hopes this will bring awareness.

“If this is one thing that can help bring light to it and help people be more open and help people to talk about it, and take some of the grief away that would be totally ideal for us just to help out a little bit,” said Casey.

The relay begins on October 15 in Medora and will end on October 18th in Fargo.

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Behind the Badge – Spring Fever

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Spring Fever

District Game Warden Sam Feldmann

As winter begins to fade and ice fishing begins to slow, everyone gets the itch to be outside on nice days when it’s warming and the sun is shining. People are beginning to think about their garden or outdoor projects around the house they have been pondering all winter.

While others have been thinking about open water fishing, getting the boat ready, hitting the field to look for shed antlers in a favorite spot they’ve been watching deer all winter, or slipping into the field to lure a spring gobbler into shotgun range with a new call they’ve been practicing with all winter.

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With the excitement of warm weather and getting out to enjoy everything a spring day has to offer, I would like to remind everyone of a few things while enjoying what North Dakota has to offer.

This year is a registration year for all motorized watercrafts. This doesn’t just mean you have to renew your registration. It means that when you get the new red stickers sporting “28” on them that they must be affixed to both sides of the bow of the boat.

Another reminder is that if you are going shed hunting, there are a few things to remember. Shed antlers are legal to possess. This time of year, our officers receive lots of calls about shed hunters locating “dead heads,” which are animals that have died and the antlers are still attached to the skull plate.

If you happen to locate a dead head, you cannot possess it without contacting your local game warden and receiving a permit for the animal. Also, if you are going to shed hunt on posted private property or a Private Lands Opens To Sportsmen tract, you need to obtain permission to do so. Wildlife management areas and other state and federal lands are open to shed hunting, but a good rule of thumb is to check the regulations on public property before heading out.

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If you are going to be chasing turkeys this spring through the timber, there are a few things that should be remembered. Make sure you have your tag with you when you are in the field. Remember that your tag is only legal for one bearded wild turkey. If you are lucky enough to harvest a turkey you fooled into coming to your calling and decoy, you must tag it before doing anything else.

One last reminder for the spring activities. Remember that all licenses, whether it’s a hunting license or fishing license, expired March 31 and needed to be renewed as of April 1, 2026

With these few reminders out of the way, remember to have fun and enjoy what the great state of North Dakota has to offer.



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Retired Game & Fish Director facing new charge of molesting a child – KVRR Local News

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Retired Game & Fish Director facing new charge of molesting a child – KVRR Local News


MANDAN, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – Former North Dakota Game & Fish Director Terry Steinwand has been charged with molesting a child.

The Class “A” misdemeanor was filed after a Morton County District Court judge rejected a proposed plea agreement to a felony charge and prosecutors dismissed the charge while retaining the right to file an amended charge.

Steinwand is from Mandan. The 72-year-old is now charged with one count of sexual assault-offensive contact. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

Steinwand was originally charged in September, 2025, when police say he admitted to sexual misconduct.

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Steinwand worked for the Game & Fish Dept. for 40 years. He led the agency for about 15 years and retired in 2021.





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